asp

/æsp/

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Word: Asp

Part of Speech: Noun

Usage Instructions:

• The word "asp" is typically used in historical or literary contexts, especially when discussing ancient Egypt or mythology.
• It is less common in everyday conversation.

Example Sentence:

• "In ancient Egypt, the asp was seen as a protective symbol, often worn by pharaohs as a crown."

Advanced Usage:

• In literature, the word "asp" can be used metaphorically to represent danger or treachery, drawing upon its historical connotations.
• For example, in Shakespeare's play "Antony and Cleopatra," the asp is used as a symbol of Cleopatra's tragic end.

Word Variants:

• Aspic: Though not related to the snake, it refers to a dish of meat or fish set in jelly.
• Aspis: An ancient Greek shield, but not related to the snake.

Different Meanings:

1. Historical Meaning: Refers specifically to the Egyptian cobra.
2. Symbolic Meaning: Represents danger, death, or royalty in literature and art.

Synonyms:

• Cobra (more general term)
• Viper (though this specifically refers to a different family of snakes)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no well-known idioms or phrasal verbs specifically using "asp," but it can be used in phrases to imply danger or deceit, like “a snake in the grass,” which means a hidden threat.

Summary:

The word "asp" is a noun that refers to a specific kind of snake, particularly the cobra used in ancient Egypt as a symbol of power.

Academic

Noun

1. cobra used by the Pharaohs as a symbol of their power over life and death
2. of southern Europe; similar to but smaller than the adder

Synonyms

• Egyptian cobra
• Naja haje
• asp viper
• Vipera aspis